Pete Kaiser signs Trail Mail! Photo Credit: J. Westrich

This morning my big assignment was to make sure every musher signed their Trail Mail, which meant I was in the room for the official Iditarod Musher Meeting. Pardon me while I pause and freak out.

Okay, I’m back. It was an Iditarod fan’s dream to be in the room with every single musher in this year’s field. I was in awe as we listened to Race Marshall Mark Nordman share logistics of the race.

Lunchtime meant a chat with musher Hunter Keefe at the Iditarider meet-and-greet. I have the privilege of riding in his sled on Saturday at the Ceremonial Start. We talked about the upcoming race, his preparation, and his inspiration. I made my way to the Dena’ina Center in the afternoon for the Musher Meet-and-Greet, spending more than an hour engaging with the mushers and getting autographs.  

Race fans chat with 2022 Champion Brent Sass. Photo Credit: . Westrich

Fans ask questions during the Musher Meet-and-Greet. Photo Credit: J. Westrich

Deke Naaktgeboren greets enthusiastic fans with a smile. Photo Credit: J. Westrich

Signing the Honorary Musher bib. Photo Credit: J. Westrich

Today I was in the room where it happened: where mushers were prepped for the race by the officials, where they signed autographs, and where they drew bib numbers. Although it was great to witness these events, what really stuck with me was seeing how the mushers care about their fans.  They are so grateful for the support, so appreciative of the good wishes, and so honored to be someone’s idol. I was reminded today that they are dog mushers, not celebrities. The signing autographs is part of the job, but they all seemed much more comfortable talking with fans about the race and the dogs, than about themselves. What a remarkable experience to watch the Iditarod mushers, the best in the world at this sport, be so humble and gracious and grateful for their fans. It reminded me how incredibly lucky I am to be part of the Iditarod family. 

The 2023 Iditarod Mushers after the Musher Meeting. Photo Credit: J. Westrich

Library Learning: Tomorrow is the night before the race which means mushers will be doing the final prep of gear, packing, and dog care in order to be ready for the Ceremonial Start. They won’t be the only ones getting ready…

QUESTION: The city of Anchorage brings snow into downtown to fill the streets so the dogsleds can run on fresh trail.  What is the creative name for this event?  Learn more about it HERE

ANSWER for March 2: The Finalist for the 2024 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail are from Massachusetts, Texas, and Illinois!